Long before the COLONIAL HOUSE participants began their adventures in the year 1628, teams of researchers and experts had to take on the roles of historical detectives and investigate the lives of New England colonists in the seventeenth century. Where did the colonists live? How did they wash their clothes? What type of food did they eat? Where did they go to the bathroom? Before any of the participants stepped on board the ship, these historical detectives had to answer these questions, and thousands more. It was an enormous task which required teamwork, organization, and careful planning. As a result of this work, millions of viewers can learn about what life was like at the very roots of the American experience.

In this activity, you will become a historical detective, and progress through a variety of challenges and tasks. After a step-by-step investigation, you will discover how your community, the people in your area, and the land itself has changed over the course of history. You may even be able to describe what life was like where you live in 1628!

Grab a pencil and paper. You'll need to take some notes and consult some other sources as you progress across the sea. Whenever you see a quill, you'll want to record that information.

Click on "Get Started" above to start the colonists' journey and proceed to the first part of your investigation.